DE102013102094A1 - circuitry - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement (100) for monitoring a plurality of signal inputs (112a-112c). According to the invention, a diagnostic assembly (104) and a start assembly (106) are provided, the start assembly (106) being designed to generate a start signal (S) upon detection of a deactivated input signal at one of the signal inputs (112a-112c) by the circuit arrangement (100), the start module (106) is connected to the diagnostic module (104) to transmit the start signal (S) to the diagnostic module (104), and the diagnostic module (104) can be activated upon detection of the start signal (S).

Description

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for monitoring a plurality of signal inputs.

In an automation device, a safety chain consists of a sensor (emergency stop), a logic (safety relay) and an actuator, such as a contactor and motor. For certain security integrity levels, such as EN 61 508 , and / or categories, such as according to EN ISO 13849 , a two-channel structure is required. In discrete circuits for functional safety, in particular relay circuits, the plausibility of the diagnosis (error evaluation) of the sensor input circuit (two-channel emergency stop, light grid, safety gate switch) is usually one or more relay contacts used. If several inputs are to be monitored with such a safety circuit, the effort increases greatly.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to reduce the effort here.

This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The present invention is based on the recognition that reduces the diagnostic effort with a diagnostic circuit for monitoring a plurality of signal inputs.

According to a first aspect, the object is achieved in that a circuit arrangement for monitoring a plurality of signal inputs comprises a diagnostic module and a starting module, wherein the starting module is designed to detect a deactivated input signal at one of the signal inputs by the circuit arrangement generating a start signal, the start module with the diagnosis module, the start signal to the diagnostic module is transmitted transmitting, and upon detection of the start signal, the diagnostic module is activated. This achieves the technical advantage that the diagnostic module is activated in response to a falling signal input through the start module in order to carry out a diagnosis (error evaluation). Thus, a simple and efficient checking of a plurality of signal inputs is possible.

In an advantageous embodiment, the diagnostic module has a switching element which is in a first, active switching state at least when a signal input is deactivated, and is otherwise in a second, deactivated switching state. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the diagnostic module is activated by the switching element only at a deactivated signal input.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the switching element has an optocoupler. Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that can be used as a switching element readily available, reliable functioning and inexpensive components. Thus, a reliable and inexpensive circuit arrangement is provided.

In a further advantageous embodiment, when the energy store is discharged, the switching element is in a first, activated switching state. Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that an energy storage device can be used as an energy source, in particular when the switching element is in the first, activated switching state.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the electrical energy store is formed discharging at a deactivated signal input. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that a deactivated signal input triggers a discharge of an electrical energy storage, and so energy is provided for the further diagnostic process available.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the energy store is a capacitor. Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the circuit arrangement of easily available, reliable functioning and inexpensive components, such as a capacitor is formed. Thus, a reliable and inexpensive circuit arrangement is provided.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the starting module has an AND module with an AND gate having a plurality of inputs. This achieves the technical advantage that a plurality of inputs is linked by a logical AND, so that when the signal input of one of the plurality of inputs is deactivated, the AND module already indicates this. Thus, a particularly simple monitoring of a plurality of signal inputs is possible.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the diagnostic module is electrically connected to a self-holding circuit in order to keep the circuit arrangement in latching. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that only a temporarily deactivated signal input of the plurality of signal inputs triggers a diagnostic process.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the signal inputs of an input module are assigned to the circuit arrangement, and the input module is electrically conductively connected to a signal input of the diagnostic module. This achieves the technical advantage that input signals applied to the signal inputs by the input module can be processed before being supplied to the diagnostic module. Thus, the reliability is increased.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a switch-on prevention module is provided which provides a signal for preventing the circuit arrangement from being switched on again when the diagnostic module and / or further circuit parts are activated. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that during a verification process by the diagnostic module re-commissioning can not take place and thus disturbances of the automation device are excluded by the circuit arrangement.

According to a second aspect, the object is achieved by a diagnostic module for such a circuit arrangement. This achieves the technical advantage that the diagnostic module is activated in response to a falling signal input through the start module in order to carry out a diagnosis (error evaluation). Thus, a simple and efficient checking of a plurality of signal inputs is possible.

According to a third aspect, the object is achieved by a starting module for such a circuit arrangement. This achieves the technical advantage that the diagnostic module is activated in response to a falling signal input through the start module in order to carry out a diagnosis (error evaluation). Thus, a simple and efficient checking of a plurality of signal inputs is possible.

According to a fourth aspect, the object is achieved by a self-holding circuit for such a circuit arrangement. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an operator is immediately optically signaled that the circuit arrangement is activated to detect a deactivated signal input of a plurality of signal inputs.

According to a fifth aspect, the object is achieved by a switch-on prevention assembly for such a circuit arrangement. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that during a verification process by the diagnostic module re-commissioning can not take place and thus disturbances of the automation device are excluded by the circuit arrangement

Further embodiments will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a circuit arrangement, and

2 a schematic diagram of a portion of the starting module.

In the 1 shown circuit arrangement 100 is formed in the present embodiment as a diagnostic circuit (error evaluation) for use in a safety chain, eg consisting of an emergency stop sensor, a safety switching device and an actuator in an automation device. In the present embodiment, the circuit arrangement 100 discretely constructed.

In the present embodiment, the circuit arrangement 100 an input module 102 , a diagnostic board 104 , a startup module 106 , a self-holding circuit 108 and a power-on prevention board 110 on.

The input module 102 has in the present embodiment, three signal inputs 112a - 112c on, each with an input diode 114a - 114c is provided. The three signal inputs 112a - 112c be at a signal input 116 the diagnostic module 104 merged.

The diagnostic module 104 indicates next to the signal input 116 a control input 118 and an exit 120 on. The control input 118 is with the startup module 106 electrically connected while the output 120 with the self-holding circuit 108 is electrically connected. It also shows the diagnostic board 104 a switching element 122 on, which in the present embodiment is an optocoupler 124 is. The optocoupler 124 is in the present embodiment, the input side to the signal input 116 and with the control input 118 and output side with the output 120 connected.

The starting module 106 has an ohmic resistance in the present embodiment 136 on that with the control input 118 connected is. The further construction of the start module 106 will be referring to later 2 explained.

The self-holding circuit 108 has a transistor in the present embodiment 126 , which is formed in the present embodiment by a bipolar transistor, and a ohmic resistance 128 and a display device 130 on, which is formed in the present embodiment by an LED, on. The base of the transistor 126 is over the ohmic resistance 128 with the exit 120 electrically connected while the emitter of the transistor 126 in the present embodiment with the display device 130 electrically connected, in turn, with a ground connection 138 is electrically connected. The collector of the transistor 126 however, with the startup module 106 electrically connected.

The power-on prevention module 110 includes in the present embodiment, a transistor 132 as well as an ohmic resistance 134 , The base of the transistor 132 is in the present embodiment, the ohmic resistance 134 with the exit 120 and the ohmic resistance 128 the self-holding circuit 108 electrically connected. Thus, in the present embodiment, the power-on prevention board 110 provide a signal that can be processed by other assemblies (not shown) to re-enable the circuitry 100 and / or to prevent further circuit parts.

2 shows further details of the structure of the starting module 106 ,

The starting module 106 has in the present embodiment, an AND module 200 with an AND gate 202 on. The AND gate 202 has in the present embodiment, three input diodes 208a - 208c , three input transistors 210a - 210c and three ohmic resistors 212a - 212c and three more transistors each 214a - 214c on. Furthermore, the AND assembly has 200 in the present embodiment, three inputs 228a - 228c and a supply input 204 and an exit 206 on. Every entrance 228a - 228c is each with one of the input diode 208a - 208c electrically connected to the inputs 228a - 228c with the base of the respective transistor 210a - 210c electrically conductive connects. The emitter of the respective input transistors 210a - 210c is with the ground connection 138 electrically connected while the collector of the respective input transistors 210a - 210c with the respective ohmic resistance 212a - 212c is electrically connected, in turn, an electrically conductive connection with the base of the respective transistor 214a - 214c forms. It can also be seen that the supply input 204 electrically conductive with the emitter of the first transistor 214a is connected, the collector of the first transistor 214a with the emitter of the second transistor 214b is electrically connected, and the collector of the second transistor 214b with the emitter of the third transistor 214c is electrically connected, and the collector of the third transistor 214c finally with the output terminal 206 is electrically connected. Thus, this arrangement causes the transistors 214a - 214c an AND connection or DISCONNECTION of one at the inputs 228a - 228c applied signal in the form that one at the supply input 204 applied signal to the output 206 only forwarded if at all entrances 228a - 228c a signal is present.

The exit 206 the AND assembly 200 is with an ohmic resistance 222 electrically connected, with another ohmic resistance 224 a voltage divider for an energy storage 218 forms, in the present embodiment by a capacitor 220 is formed. The energy storage 218 is with an optocoupler 216 On the input side electrically connected, and via a diode 226 with the ohmic resistance 224 electrically connected. Furthermore, the energy storage 218 over the diode 226 with the ground connection 138 electrically connected. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the optocoupler 216 on the output side also with the ground connection 138 electrically connected.

Not shown is that the inputs 228a - 228c the AND assembly 200 in 2 electrically conductive with the signal inputs 112a - 112c the input module 102 in 2 are electrically coupled.

In operation is located at the three entrances 228a - 228c an input signal. Thus, the energy storage 218 , In the present embodiment, the capacitor 220 , across the emitter-collector paths of the three transistors 214a - 214 , the ohmic resistors 222 . 224 and the diode 226 charged.

A start of a diagnosis is triggered if one of the signal inputs 112a - 112c is deactivated and thus no input signal is applied. This will also be one of the inputs 228a - 228c disabled. The start of the diagnosis is made via the energy store 218 stored electrical energy causes, which is now on the ohmic resistance 224 discharges. This will make the optocoupler 216 the starting module 106 conductive and provides a start signal S. By the start signal is the input signal of the switching element 122 the diagnostic module 104 , In the present embodiment, the optocoupler 124 , pulled to earth. The switching element 122 then changes from its disabled state to its activated state.

If one of the inputs 112a - 112c is active, ie at least one of the inputs 112a - 112c is an input signal, is over the respective diode 114a - 114c the output of the optocoupler 124 active. It now flows an electric current from the still active inputs 112a - 112c via the optocoupler 124 , the ohmic resistance 136 and the conductive optocoupler 216 to the ground connection 138 , At the same time, an electric current flows through the now conductive optocoupler 124 over the ohmic resistance 128 , the base-emitter path of the transistor 126 and the display device 130 to the ground connection 138 , As a result, the collector-emitter path of the transistor 126 conductive, so now an electric current from the still active inputs 112a - 112c through the conductive optocoupler 124 , the ohmic resistance 136 , the collector-emitter path of the transistor 126 and the display device 130 to the ground connection 138 flows when the energy store 218 has discharged and thus the optocoupler 216 now locks.

The optocoupler 124 lasts for so long over its exit as one of the entrances 112a - 112c is active. This latching is doing by the self-holding circuit 108 with the transistor 126 at the optocoupler output of the optocoupler 124 causes and ensures that the optocoupler 124 does not self-caulk the electric current. The display device 130 indicates that a diagnosis is being made. Alternatively or in addition to the display device 130 can here a signal for further processing in other modules (not shown) of the circuit 100 be diverted. As long as the circuitry 100 is active, sets the reclosure prevention board 110 a signal ready, a reconnection of the circuit 100 and / or further circuit parts prevented.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

circuitry

102

input unit

104

diagnostic module

106

start assembly

108

Holding circuit

110

Einschaltverhinderungsbaugruppe

112a

signal input

112b

signal input

112c

signal input

114a

input diode

114b

input diode

114c

input diode

116

signal input

118

control input

120

output

122

switching element

124

optocoupler

126

transistor

128

ohmic resistance

130

display

132

transistor

134

ohmic resistance

136

ohmic resistance

138

Dimensions

200

AND assembly

202

AND gate

204

supply input

206

output

208a

input diode

208b

input diode

208c

input diode

210a

input transistor

210b

input transistor

210c

input transistor

212a

ohmic resistance

212b

ohmic resistance

212c

ohmic resistance

214a

transistor

214b

transistor

214c

transistor

216

optocoupler

218

energy storage

220

capacitor

222

ohmic resistance

224

ohmic resistance

226

diode

228a

entrance

228b

entrance

228c

entrance

S

start signal

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• EN 61 508 [0002]
• EN ISO 13849 [0002]

Claims (15)

Circuit arrangement ( 100 ) for monitoring a plurality of signal inputs ( 112a - 112c ), with a diagnostic board ( 104 ) and a startup module ( 106 ), wherein the starting module ( 106 ) detecting a deactivated input signal at one of the signal inputs ( 112a - 112c ) by the circuit arrangement ( 100 ) is formed generating a start signal (S), the start module ( 106 ) with the diagnostic board ( 104 ) the start signal (S) to the diagnostic board ( 104 ) and upon detection of the start signal (S) the diagnostic module ( 104 ) is activated. Circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic module ( 104 ) a switching element ( 122 ), which at least one deactivated signal input ( 112a - 112c ) is in a first, activated switching state, and otherwise in a second, deactivated switching state. Circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to claim 2, wherein the switching element ( 122 ) an optocoupler ( 124 ) having. Circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein in a discharging energy store ( 218 ) the switching element ( 122 ) is in the first, activated switching state. Circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to claim 4, wherein the electrical energy store ( 218 ) at a deactivated signal input ( 112a - 112c ) is designed to be unloading. Circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the electrical energy store ( 218 ) a capacitor ( 220 ). Circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the starting module ( 106 ) an AND assembly ( 200 ) with an AND gate ( 202 ) with a plurality of inputs ( 228a - 228c ) having. Circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the diagnostic module ( 104 ) with a self-holding circuit ( 108 ) is electrically connected to the circuit arrangement ( 104 ) to hold in self-preservation. Circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal inputs ( 112a - 112c ) of an input module ( 102 ) of the circuit arrangement ( 100 ) and the input module ( 102 ) with a signal input ( 116 ) of the diagnostic board ( 104 ) is electrically connected. Circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a switch-on prevention assembly ( 110 ) is provided which a signal for preventing a reconnection of the circuit arrangement ( 100 ) and / or further circuit parts when the diagnostic module is activated ( 104 ). Input module ( 102 ) for a circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to claim 9 or 10. Diagnostic module ( 104 ) for a circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10. Start module ( 106 ) for a circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10. Self-holding circuit ( 108 ) for a circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to any one of claims 8 to 10. Switch-on prevention module ( 110 ) for a circuit arrangement ( 100 ) according to claim 10.

Images